Enhanced field emission from printed CNTs by high-temperature sintering and plasma bombarding in hydrogen

A novel post-treatment, including high-temperature sintering and plasma bombarding in hydrogen ambient, was performed intentionally to improve the field emission capability and stability of screen-printed carbon nanotubes (CNTs). With this treatment, the organic bonding material covering on the CNTs was preferentially removed. And the CNTs were wetted and filled by silver at the interface between the CNTs and silver electrode so that a reliable ohmic contact was achieved. These effects improved the field emission capability and stability of CNT cathode. Moreover, the equal-high CNT emitters, after the removal of the excessively protruded CNT tips/or arches, would improve the luminescence uniformity. It is suggested that a high-temperature sintering and plasma bombarding in hydrogen may be a key technology for the commercialization of CNT field emission display.